Russian River State Marine Reserve & Russian River State Marine Conservation Area
Encyclopedia
Russian River State Marine Recreational Management Area (SMRMA) and Russian River State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) are two adjoining marine protected areas in the Russian River
estuary
area in Sonoma County, California
, on the north-central coast of the state. The combined area of these marine protected areas is 1.21 square miles (3.1 km²), with 0.35 square mile (0.9064958385 km²) in the SMRMA and 0.86 square miles (2.2 km²) in the SMCA.
In the Russian River SMRMA, the taking of all living marine resources except recreational hunting of waterfowl
is prohibited, unless otherwise restricted by hunting regulations. In the Russian River SMCA, the taking of all living marine resources is prohibited, except the recreational and commercial trapping
of Dungeness crab
and the taking of Hypomesus pretiosus
(surf smelt) by hand-held dip nets or beach nets
.
in August 2009, during the second phase of the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative
. The MLPAI is a collaborative public process to create a statewide network of protected areas along California’s coastline.
The north central coast's new marine protected areas were designed by local divers, fishermen,conservationists and scientists who comprised the North Central Coast Regional Stakeholder Group. Their job was to design a network of protected areas that would preserve sensitive sea life and habitats while enhancing recreation, study and education opportunities.
The north central coast marine protected areas took effect May 1, 2010.
flows through Goat Rock Beach
within Sonoma Coast State Beach
into the Pacific Ocean
. The estuary is closed seasonally by a sandbar.
Russian River SMRMA includes the waters below the mean high tide line eastward of the mouth of the Russian River Estuary defined as a line connecting the following two points:
and
and westward of the Highway 1 Bridge.
Russian River SMCA bounded by the mean high tide line, the mouth of the Russian River
estuary as defined in subsection 632(b)(14)(A), and straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:
and salmon
and has diverse estuarine habitats such as eelgrass beds and mudflats. The seasonal sandbar provides an important harbor seal
haul out and hosts various seabird colonies. The Russian River SMR and SMCA protect steelhead and Russian River chinook
and coho salmon
, which aggregate at the mouth of the estuary during seasonal sandbar closures.
to the Russian River. There are more than a dozen access points to Sonoma Coast State Beach along State Highway 1, and the Sonoma Coast Trail connects many of the secret beaches hidden by rocky coves and tall bluffs. Beachcombing, fishing and picnicking are popular activities. During spring, blue lupine and Indian paintbrush offer spectacular views. Sonoma Coast State Park has four campgrounds that include developed and primitive sites.
Russian River SMRMA prohibits the take of all living marine resources, except recreational hunting of waterfowl, unless otherwise restricted by hunting regulations. Russian River SMCA prohibits take of all living marine resources, except recreational and commercial take of Dungeness crab by trap and take of surf smelt by hand-held dip nets or beach nets. However, California’s marine protected areas encourage recreational and educational uses of the ocean. Activities such as kayaking, diving, snorkeling, and swimming are allowed unless otherwise restricted.
Russian River (California)
The Russian River, a southward-flowing river, drains of Sonoma and Mendocino counties in Northern California. With an annual average discharge of approximately , it is the second largest river flowing through the nine county Greater San Francisco Bay Area with a mainstem 110 miles ...
estuary
Estuary
An estuary is a partly enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea....
area in Sonoma County, California
Sonoma County, California
Sonoma County, located on the northern coast of the U.S. state of California, is the largest and northernmost of the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties. Its population at the 2010 census was 483,878. Its largest city and county seat is Santa Rosa....
, on the north-central coast of the state. The combined area of these marine protected areas is 1.21 square miles (3.1 km²), with 0.35 square mile (0.9064958385 km²) in the SMRMA and 0.86 square miles (2.2 km²) in the SMCA.
In the Russian River SMRMA, the taking of all living marine resources except recreational hunting of waterfowl
Waterfowl
Waterfowl are certain wildfowl of the order Anseriformes, especially members of the family Anatidae, which includes ducks, geese, and swans....
is prohibited, unless otherwise restricted by hunting regulations. In the Russian River SMCA, the taking of all living marine resources is prohibited, except the recreational and commercial trapping
Trapping
Trapping may refer to:* Animal trapping, the remote capture of animals* Trapping , a fighting technique and range* Trap , a color management technique* Mantrap, a security device...
of Dungeness crab
Dungeness crab
The Dungeness crab, Metacarcinus magister , is a species of crab that inhabits eelgrass beds and water bottoms on the west coast of North America. It typically grows to across the carapace and is a popular seafood...
and the taking of Hypomesus pretiosus
Hypomesus pretiosus
Hypomesus pretiosus, or surf smelt, is a marine smelt with a range from Prince William Sound, Alaska to Long Beach, California, although its population declines south of San Francisco. The surf smelt grows to be about 10 inches in southern waters, and 8 3/4 inches in northern waters near Canada...
(surf smelt) by hand-held dip nets or beach nets
Hand net
A hand net, also called a scoop net, is a net or mesh basket held open by a hoop. It may or may not be on the end of a handle. Hand nets have been used since antiquity and can be used for scooping fish near the surface of the water, such as muskellunge or northern pike.A hand net with a long handle...
.
History
The areas are two of the 21 marine protected areas adopted by the California Department of Fish and GameCalifornia Department of Fish and Game
The California Department of Fish and Game is a department within the government of California, falling under its parent California Natural Resources Agency. The Department of Fish and Game manages and protects the state's diverse fish, wildlife, plant resources, and native habitats...
in August 2009, during the second phase of the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative
Marine Life Protection Act
The Marine Life Protection Act was passed in 1999 and is part of the California Fish and Game Code. The MLPA requires California to reevaluate all existing marine protected areas and potentially design new MPAs that together function as a statewide network. The MLPA has clear guidance associated...
. The MLPAI is a collaborative public process to create a statewide network of protected areas along California’s coastline.
The north central coast's new marine protected areas were designed by local divers, fishermen,conservationists and scientists who comprised the North Central Coast Regional Stakeholder Group. Their job was to design a network of protected areas that would preserve sensitive sea life and habitats while enhancing recreation, study and education opportunities.
The north central coast marine protected areas took effect May 1, 2010.
Geography and natural features
Russian River SMRMA and Russian River SMCA are two adjoining marine protected areas that protect the Russian River Estuary in Sonoma County on California’s north central coast. The Russian RiverRussian River
Russian River may refer to one of the following rivers in the United States:* Russian River * Russian River Russian River may also refer to a brewpub in Santa Rosa, California:* Russian River Brewing Company...
flows through Goat Rock Beach
Goat Rock Beach
Goat Rock Beach is a sand beach in northwestern Sonoma County, California, United States.This landform is a sub-unit of Sonoma Coast State Beach, owned and managed by the State of California...
within Sonoma Coast State Beach
Sonoma Coast State Beach
Sonoma Coast State Beach is a State of California property in Sonoma County consisting of public access use on lands adjoining the Pacific Ocean. This extent of beach runs from a coastal point about north of Jenner and continues for approximately to the south to terminate at Bodega Head...
into the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
. The estuary is closed seasonally by a sandbar.
Russian River SMRMA includes the waters below the mean high tide line eastward of the mouth of the Russian River Estuary defined as a line connecting the following two points:
and
and westward of the Highway 1 Bridge.
Russian River SMCA bounded by the mean high tide line, the mouth of the Russian River
estuary as defined in subsection 632(b)(14)(A), and straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:
- 38°27.38′N 123°8.58′W
- 38°26.38′N 123°8.58′W and
- 38°26.38′N 123°7.7′W.
Habitat and wildlife
The Russian River Estuary is an important nursery for crabCrab
True crabs are decapod crustaceans of the infraorder Brachyura, which typically have a very short projecting "tail" , or where the reduced abdomen is entirely hidden under the thorax...
and salmon
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
and has diverse estuarine habitats such as eelgrass beds and mudflats. The seasonal sandbar provides an important harbor seal
Harbor Seal
The harbor seal , also known as the common seal, is a true seal found along temperate and Arctic marine coastlines of the Northern Hemisphere...
haul out and hosts various seabird colonies. The Russian River SMR and SMCA protect steelhead and Russian River chinook
Chinook salmon
The Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, is the largest species in the pacific salmon family. Other commonly used names for the species include King salmon, Quinnat salmon, Spring salmon and Tyee salmon...
and coho salmon
Coho salmon
The Coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch, is a species of anadromous fish in the salmon family. Coho salmon are also known as silver salmon or "silvers". It is the state animal of Chiba, Japan.-Description:...
, which aggregate at the mouth of the estuary during seasonal sandbar closures.
Recreation and nearby attractions
Sonoma Coast State Beach is a series of beaches that extends 13 miles (21 km) from Bodega BayBodega Bay
Bodega Bay is a shallow, rocky inlet of the Pacific Ocean on the coast of northern California in the United States. It is approximately across and is located approximately northwest of San Francisco and west of Santa Rosa...
to the Russian River. There are more than a dozen access points to Sonoma Coast State Beach along State Highway 1, and the Sonoma Coast Trail connects many of the secret beaches hidden by rocky coves and tall bluffs. Beachcombing, fishing and picnicking are popular activities. During spring, blue lupine and Indian paintbrush offer spectacular views. Sonoma Coast State Park has four campgrounds that include developed and primitive sites.
Russian River SMRMA prohibits the take of all living marine resources, except recreational hunting of waterfowl, unless otherwise restricted by hunting regulations. Russian River SMCA prohibits take of all living marine resources, except recreational and commercial take of Dungeness crab by trap and take of surf smelt by hand-held dip nets or beach nets. However, California’s marine protected areas encourage recreational and educational uses of the ocean. Activities such as kayaking, diving, snorkeling, and swimming are allowed unless otherwise restricted.
